Samoana wins varsity soccer title

The win also meant that Samoana had just swept the girls’ high school soccer divisions after their J-V squad won their final against the same school 2-1 in an earlier match.In the game for 3rd and 4th places, the Lions edged Faga’itua 4-3.Trophies for 1st to 4th were handed out by DOE official Li’a Amisone Sr. and FFAS President Iuli Alex Godinet. Soccer balls were also part of the prizes for all teams.The MVP award included a trophy, soccer ball and Futsal shoes. All prizes were provided by FFAS.SHARKS 3, WARRIORS 1With six minutes remaining in the match, Samoana was up 2-1 after leading 2-0 for the first 50 minutes of the match.In the 51st minute June Canales took a pass from teammate Beulah Oney at the Samoana penalty area and slotted in a the goal with two defenders converging upon her to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.But that lasted only three minutes as Tualaulelei took a corner pass a yard from Tafuna’s box and then blasted a shot to the right corner goal post to push the game up 3-1 with six minutes to play.That turned out to be huge help as Samoana held on for the win.Tualaulelei blasted a free kick five minutes into the first half from two yards out of the penalty box to put Samoana up 1-0, a score they would hold on to going into the break.Seven minutes into the second half Lydia Ting pounced on a Meagan West cross that a Tafuna defender failed to clear away to find the right corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.LIONS 4, VIKINGS 3Mary Ipiniu dug Leone out of a 3-3 tie with the game-winner late in the second half after the Lions led 3-0 going into the second half only to see the Vikings storm back to equalize the match.The final standings for varsity division are Samoana, Tafuna, Leone, Faga’itua, Kananafou Stallions and then Fa’asao-Marist Cougars.FFAS thanks Kananafou for allowing its field to be used for the ASHSAA girls’ soccer season.

About FFAS

A territory with just 70,000 people and an area of 199km², American Samoa is traditionally strong in sports such as gridiron, basketball and baseball but football is starting to take over these popular pastimes. The strength of the game is at the youth level where Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) has worked hard to establish competitions within schools. Under the tutelage of President Iuli Alex Godinet.